Ligature package



Nov. 15, 1932. .E. THEMAK 1,887,529

LIGATURE PACKAGE Filed Aug. 5, 1930 ull l llln... V

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HHIHI NON-60144845 INVENTQR EDWARD THEMAK Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD THEILAK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO GEGK LABORATORIES, INC OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A GOBPORATION.OF NEW YORK LIGATURE PACKAGE Application filed August 5, 1930. Serial No. 473,167.

The present invention has for an object to provide an improved holder and an improved package for a surgical ligature or the like.

Surgical ligatures are supplied to physicians and surgeons in a compact package comprising an hermetically sealed frangible glass vial containing the ligature wound on a holder together wit-h a preservative liquid. At the time of use the ligatures are removed from the vials and the vials with such data as may be applied thereto are discarded. It frequently becomes desirable, however, after the ligature has been removed to know the exact size or character thereof and confusion and delay are caused in obtaining the infor mation.

The present invention provides an improved ligature package and an improved holder for the ligature having a projecting end which affords a data receiving area readily visible either through the glass of the container or when the ligature is removed therefrom. The arrangement has the advantage that the data, including for example the size and quality of the ligature, is permanently and in an easily observed position connected to the ligature until the ligature is actually removed from the holder for use and the holder having the data may conveniently be retained with the ligature, if desired.

The improved holder in its preferred form is furthermore so formed that it may be easily bent or broken in a manner to facilitate immediate removal of the ligature therefrom as a complete coiland without unwinding.

The nature and objects of the invention will be better understood from a description of a particular illustrative embodiment thereof for the purposes of which description reference should be had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a ligature package embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a ligature holder of the type shown in the package of Fig 1 but removed from the glass vial, and

ig. 3 is a view showing a ligature holder broken to permit convenient removal of the coiled ligature from the holder.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing-for the purposes of illustrating the principles of the invention a surgical ligature 5 is shown wound on a long, narrow, thin, fiat strip of suitable fibre-board or other suitable material constituting a ligature holder 6.

The holder with the ligature thereon is shown in Fig. 1 as hermetically sealed in a glass vial which vial also contains a preserving liquid to maintain the ligature in antiseptic and suitably preserved condition.

The holder 6 is formed with spaced notches 8, 9 in which the ligature is wound to maintain it in suitable untwisted condition. The notch 8 may conveniently be formed at one end of the holder and the notch 9 at a point toward but spaced from the opposite end to provide a tab 10 projecting beyong the ligature and clearly exposed to view. By this arrangement all desired data such as the size, length and quality of the ligature may be applied in position on the holder such that it is readily visible through the glass of the vial and furthermore such data is necessarily carried with the ligature untilthe ligature is actually removed from the holder for use.

Accordingly, much of the confusion resulting when ligatures are removed from their vials and the data lost is avoided.

It is also a feature of the preferred form of holder shown that the notch 9 weakens the holder to permit breaking at this point and it is so shaped that when the holder is broken or sufiiciently bent the ligature may be easily removed without uncoiling.

The foregoing particular description is illustrative merely and is not intended as defining the limits of the invention.

1. A holder for a surgical ligature comprising a long, narrow, thin strip having spaced ligature receiving notches and a data tab projecting beyond one of said notches to provide a data receiving area projecting beyond a ligature coiled in said notches, one notch lying between and in alignment with the other notch and the data tab, substantially as described.

2. A holder for a surgical ligature comprising a long, narrow, thin strip having at one end a notch and toward the opposite end but spaced therefrom a second notch between which notches a surgical ligature may be wound for support, said second notch extending partly across the strip to weaken the stri to permlt bending or breaking the projecting end to release the ligature.

3. A ligature package comprisin a hermetically sealed vial and enclosed t erein a surgical ligature, a holder on which said ligature is wound comprising a long, narrow strip having spaced ligature receiving notches and a data tab one notch being formed at one end of the strip and the second notch extending in from one side between and in alignment with the tab and the first notch whereby .the tab projects beyond and in alignment with a ligature wound in the two notches, said data tab being visible through the wall of the vial.

4. A holder for a surgical ligature comprising a long narrow thin strip having spaced ligature receiving notches and a data tab projecting beyond one of said notches, the notch adjacent the projecting data tab extending diagonally in from one side between the data tab and the body of the strip.

5. A holder for a surgical ligature comprising a long narrow thin strip having spaced ligature receiving notches and a data tab, one notch being formed at one end and the second notch extending diagonally in from one side in alignment between the tab and the first notch whereby the tab projects beyond and in alignment with a ligature wound in the two notches.

6. A holder for a surgical ligature comprising a long, narrow, thin strip having at one end a notch and toward the opposite end but spaced therefrom a second notch between which notches a surgical ligature may be wound for support, said second notch extending diagonally across the strip and pro- Viding a weak spot in the strip opposite the edge of the notch closest to the opposite end whereby to permit bending or breaking of the projecting end to release the ligature.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature to this specification.

EDWARD THEMAK. 

